top of page

다고 하다 Lesson | He said, She said.. in Korean


안녕하세요 여러분! In today’s lesson, we’ll learn the basic quoting forms for verbs, adjectives, and nouns and their respective tenses.


Making indirect quotes in Korean can be a bit confusing, but only because there are different forms for everything.



ㄴ/는 다고 하다

Present Tense Verbs

Meaning = said, heard


Example Sentences:

나는 그가 너를 좋아한다고 말했어.

= I said that he likes you.


그가 늦게 도착한다고 말했어요.

= He said he is arriving late.


If you want to indicate to whom this quote is said to, you can attach ~에게/한테/께 to the person being spoken to.


Ex:

나는 엄마에게 그가 너를 좋아한다고 말했어.

= I told mom that he likes you.



CONJUGATION RULES:

Present tense VERBS


Vst + 는/ㄴ다고 하다 = said ...

vowel ending - ㄴ다고

consonant ending - 는다고


가요 > 간다고 하다

먹어요 > 먹는다고 하다

해요 > 하는다고 하다



More Examples:


수지 씨가 내일 온다고 해요.

(수지: 내일 올게요.)

Suzy says she will come tomorrow.


후안 씨가 수업이 끝나고 명동에 간다고 했어요.

(후안: 수업이 끝나고 명동에 갈 거예요.)

Juan said he was going to Myeong-dong after class.


민수는 매일 운동한다고 했어요.

Minsu said he works out every day.


친구가 오늘 학교에 간다고 했어.

My friend said they're going to school today.


언니는 한국어를 열심히 공부한다고 했어요.

My sister said she studies Korean hard.


그는 커피를 안 마신다고 했어요.

He said he doesn't drink coffee.


민지는 고기를 안 먹는다고 했어.

Minji said she doesn't eat meat.


친구는 술을 안 마신다고 했어요.

My friend said they don't drink alcohol.



-았/었다고 하다

said that something was


그가 늦게 도착했다고 말했어요.

= He said he arrived late.


나는 그가 너를 좋아했다고 말했어.

= I said that he liked you.



CONJUGATION RULES:

Vst + 았/었/했다고 하다

last vowel isㅏ or ㅗ - 았

last vowel is anything else - 었

하다 verbs - 했


갔어요 > 갔다고 하다

먹었어요 > 먹었다고 하다

했어요 > 했다고 하다



More Examples:


데이비드는 애슐리가 한국에 갔다고 말했어.

David said that ashley went to Korea.


친구는 어제 영화를 봤다고 했어요.

My friend said they watched a movie yesterday.


민지는 아침을 먹었다고 했어요.

Minji said she ate breakfast.


그는 서울에 갔다고 했어.

He said he went to Seoul.


민지는 숙제를 안 했다고 했어요.

Minji said she didn't do the homework.



(으)ㄹ 거라고 하다

said that something will


CONJUGATION RULES:

Future tense VERBS


Vst + ㄹ/을 거라고 하다 = said will..

vowel ending - ㄹ거라고

consonant ending - 을 거라고


갈 거예요 > 갈 거라고

먹을 거예요 > 먹을 거라고

할 거예요 > 할 거라고


If a verb ends with an ㄹ, just attach 거라고

만들 거예요 > 만들 거라고


Alternative Form: 겠다고

가겠다고

먹겠다고

하겠다고



Example Sentences:


선생님이 다음 주에 시험이 있을 거라고 했습니다.

The teacher said (that) there will be a test next week.


뉴스에서 날씨가 더 추울 거라고 들었어요.

I heard on the news (that) the weather will be colder.


친구가 내일 일찍 오겠다고 했어요.

My friend said (that) they will come early tomorrow..


선생님은 다음 주에 시험을 볼 거라고 했어.

The teacher said there will be a test next week.


친구는 오늘 늦게 올 거라고 했어요.

My friend said they will come late today.


우리는 이번 주말에 등산을 할 거라고 했습니다.

We said we will go hiking this weekend.


아버지는 새 차를 살 거라고 했어요.

My father said he will buy a new car.


그들은 내년에 이사를 할 거라고 했어.

They said they will move next year.




Take your Korean to the next level with this Intermediate Korean Bundle, designed for learners ready to move beyond the basics and build real-world grammar, reading, listening, and conversation skills.


What's Included:

  • Intermediate Grammar Book (99 pages): 30+ grammar points, clear explanations, 40+ exercises, and answer keys.

  • Dialogue Practice Workbook Series (72 pages): 12 dialogues, vocabulary, grammar explanations, quizzes, plus 8 bonus grammar lessons.

  • Bonus Comprehension Packet (36 pages): Listening and reading practice, vocabulary, English translations, and exclusive audio/video content.


All resources are delivered as instant digital PDF downloads.


Perfect for learners looking for structured grammar practice, natural dialogues, and comprehensive reading and listening exercises— all in one bundle.


GET IT HERE!


Adj-다고 하다

said that it’s..


CONJUGATION RULES:

Present Tense Adjectives

Adjective: 다고 하다



Example Sentences:


그는 이 영화가 재미있다고 했어요.

He said this movie is fun.


날씨가 춥다고 했어요.

They said the weather is cold.


민우 씨는 제가 정말 아름답다고 했어.

Minu said that I am really beautiful.


이 드라마가 너무 유명하다고 했습니다.

I heard that this drama is very famous.


Past tense and Future tense follows the same rules as verbs.



Adj-았/었/였다고 하다

said that something was


Example Sentences:


친구는 시험이 어려웠다고 했어.

My friend said the test was difficult.


민지는 어제 날씨가 더웠다고 했어요.

Minji said yesterday was hot.


아버지는 그 식당이 비쌌다고 했어요.

My father said the restaurant was expensive.


모두가 영화가 재미있었다고 했습니다.

Everyone said the movie was interesting.



Adj-(으)ㄹ 거라고 하다

said that something will be true


Example Sentences:


일기예보에서 내일 추울 거라고 했습니다.

The weather forecast said it will be cold tomorrow.


친구는 시험이 어려울 거라고 했어.

My friend said the exam will be difficult.


언니는 새 집이 넓을 거라고 했어요.

My sister said the new house will be spacious.


선생님은 다음 수업이 재미있을 거라고 했어.

The teacher said the next class will be interesting.



N-(이)라고 하다


CONJUGATION RULES:

Present Tense Nouns


N + (이)라고 하다

vowel ending - 라고 or 이라고

consonant ending - 이라고


You can always use the 이라고 form if you want technically

의사 > 의사라고, 의사이라고

학생이에요 > 학생이라고 했어요



Example Sentences:


베트남에서 축구가 가장 인기 스포츠(이)라고 했어요.

I heard that soccer is the most popular sport in Vietnam.


제 이름은 민수라고 합니다.

My name is Minsoo.


이 동물은 판다라고 해요.

This animal is called a panda.


한국에서는 소주를 전통 술이라고 해.

In Korea, soju is called a traditional liquor.



N-아니다 > 아니라고

someone said that something/someone is NOT...


Example Sentences:


선생님은 그 사람이 학생이 아니라고 했습니다.

The teacher said that person isn't a student.


민지는 그 식당이 맛집이 아니라고 말했어.

Minji said that restaurant isn't famous for good food.


친구가 그 영화는 재미있는 영화가 아니라고 했어.

My friend said that movie isn't a good one.


의사가 큰 문제가 아니라고 했어요.

The doctor said it isn't a big problem.




N-이었다고/였다고 하다

said It was..


CONJUGATION RULES:

Past Tense Nouns


after nouns ending in a consonant

N(받침) + 이었다고 하다

When the noun ends in a vowel, 이었다고 contracts to 였다고 in natural speech.



Example Sentences:


선생님이 그 사람이 의사였다고 했어요.

The teacher said that person was a doctor.


할아버지는 예전에 군인이었다고 말씀하셨어요.

My grandfather said he used to be a soldier.


그 카페는 원래 서점이었다고 했어.

They said that café used to be a bookstore.


친구는 그 사람이 변호사였다고 말했어요.

My friend said that person was a lawyer.



N-아니었다고

someone said something was NOT...


N이/가 아니었다고 하다

said it wasn't...


Example Sentences:


그는 그 사람이 범인이 아니었다고 했어요.

He said that person wasn't the criminal.


친구는 그 식당이 원래 카페가 아니었다고 했어.

My friend said that restaurant wasn't originally a café.


선생님은 그 문제가 시험에 아니었다고 했어요.

The teacher said that wasn't on the exam.



PRACTICE SECTION:

Translate each sentence into Korean/English


Answers are listed underneath


1). Mina said she is coming to the party.

2). I heard that Steven moved (이사가다) to Sweden.

3). 뉴스에서 내일 비가 온다고 들었어요. / 했어요.

4). Max said (that) she lived in Korea.

5). 저는 친구에게서 가수가 새로운 앨범을 발표할 거라고 들었어요 .

6). Minjun said his friend will go back to Korea with his family soon.

7). I heard that this restaurant is delicious

8). Our puppy's name is Bibi.

9). He told me he is an office worker.



ANSWERS SECTION:


I heard on the news (that) it‘s raining tomorrow.

민준이는 그의 친구가 가족하고 한국에 돌아갈 거라고 했어요. / 말했어요.

미나가 파티에 온다고 했어요.

이 식당이 맛있다고 들었어요 / 했어요.

막스가 한국에서 살았다고 했어요 . / 말했어요.

스티븐 씨가 수웨덴으로 이사갔다고 들었어요. / 했어요.

우리 강아지 이름은 비비라고 해요.

I heard from a friend (that) the singer will release a new album.

그가 나한테 회사원이라고 했어요.



Thanks for checking out this post! I hope you learned something new~


Take your Korean to the next level with this INTERMEDIATE BUNDLE — perfect for learners who are ready to move beyond beginner basics and dive into real usage, grammar, and comprehension.



What’s Included:


Learn 30+ essential grammar points with clear explanations and 40+ engaging exercises (reading, translation, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice). Includes answer sheets and is ideal for low to upper intermediate learners—or ambitious beginners ready for more.


Includes 12 beginner/intermediate dialogues, vocab lists, grammar explanations, and quizzes (6 vocab, 2 dialogue, 9 comprehension questions). Also features 8 bonus grammar lessons and a special throwback workbook. Great for natural Korean exposure and review.

Comprehension Packet (36 pages)


A bonus addition not sold on my store! Includes listening and reading comprehension exercises, vocab lists, full English translations, and links to exclusive video/audio content. Designed to sharpen both your understanding and recall of real Korean.


___________


All resources are delivered as instant digital PDFs organized and ready for you.


Perfect for learners who want structured grammar help, real dialogue exposure, and listening + reading comprehension practice in one value-packed bundle.




Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page